20th December 2025 19:10:25 Hours
The Diṭvā cyclone that occurred on 28 November 2025, disaster relief operations were initiated under emergency conditions on the directives of the Commander, Security Forces (Wanni), Major General K M P S B Kulathunga RSP ndc psc. Accordingly, all Army personnel of Divisions, Brigades and Units under the Security Forces Headquarters (Wanni) were mobilized without delay to carry out relief operations and CIMIC tasks supporting communities affected by the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah and the prevailing adverse weather conditions.
In line with those instructions, Demonstrating the Sri Lanka Army unwavering commitment to national welfare, the 54 Infantry Division under the command of Major General A M C Abeykoon RWP RSP USP ndc carried out extensive humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations following the severe impact of the Ditwa Cyclone on 28th November 2025 onwards. All under command brigades remained fully committed to restoring essential services, rehabilitating community facilities and uplifting the daily living conditions of affected families across the Division area of responsibility.
Within the Area of Responsibility of the 541 Infantry Brigade, two large scale evacuation operations were conducted. On 28 November 2025, approximately 260 residents of Sithuvinayagarkulam Village and affected civilians of Koorai Village were safely evacuated after a two days rescue operation to the Kalliyadi GTM School Safety Centre. Simultaneously troops of 5 (V) Mechanized Infantry Regiment and 10 (V) Gemunu Watch rescued flood affected villagers from Vedithalathivu , Achchankulam and Madukare under hazardous conditions. A major rescue operation on 30 November, carried out in coordination with the Sri Lanka Navy, saved 27 villagers trapped by floodwaters. In total, the Brigade conducted 5 rescue missions, evacuating 506 civilians.
Parallel to rescue efforts, the 541 Infantry Brigade provided cooked meals to displaced civilians and prepared food for safety centers. Troops also restored damaged roads, cleared debris, marked danger prone areas and rehabilitated irrigation infrastructure, including tank bunds vital for agriculture. Post flood cleanup operations covered schools, places of worship fertilizer warehouses and over 66 contaminated wells, ensuring public health and safety.
The 542 Infantry Brigade and the 4 Gajaba Regiment conducted evacuation operations to safeguard 54 residents of Katteiadappan Village at the Safety Center affected by flooding, and evacuated 290 flood-affected civilians to the Murunkan Technical Collegea were evacuated to designated safety centers using army trucks and boats. Troops also provided essential support to the safety centers during the initial days. ensuring their continued protection and distribution with civil donors, and carrying out extensive cleaning of temples, Madu church, schools, wells and hospitals. Furthermore, troops of the 8 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment restored 5 damaged tanks and undertook cleaning work at 15 schools, wells, and one divisional hospital, supporting the rapid recovery of public facilities.
The 543 Infantry Brigade also played a significant role, making the safety centers for affected civilians, and with the 4 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment conducting continuous relief work including clearing fallen trees, cleaning drainage systems, rehabilitating wells, hospitals schools, IDP centers, orphanages and places of worship and preparing meal parcels and providing drinking water for affected families, troops of the 11 Artillery Regiment supported large scale meal distribution programs and infrastructure restoration including access roads and hospital facilities in Pesalai and surrounding villages.
Through rapid action, professionalism, and close coordination with civil authorities and local communities, the troops of the 54 Infantry Division exemplified the Sri Lanka Army's vital role in disaster response by protecting lives, restoring essential services, and continuing to rebuild confidence and normalcy in cyclone affected areas.
